Google readies 'Gemini Spark' in-app agent

Google appears to be preparing a new Gemini product called “Gemini Spark” ahead of its annual I/O developer conference next week, according to code findings published by 9to5Google on May 14. The report said the branding appeared in Google app beta version 17.23 and described Spark as a more advanced “agent” capability inside the Gemini app rather than a standard chat interface. (9to5google.com) Google has not publicly announced Gemini Spark. Google I/O 2026 begins May 19 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and runs through May 20 online and in person. Google’s published event schedule says the main company keynote starts at 10:00 a.m. (blog.google) Pacific time on May 19, followed by a developer keynote at 1:30 p.m. and an AI-focused session later that afternoon. ### Where did the “Gemini Spark” name come from? 9to5Google said the name surfaced in an APK teardown of Google app beta version 17.23 uploaded to the Play Store on May 14. The outlet said Google had previously referred to the feature in code as “Gemini Agent” and that the newer beta now uses “Gemini Spark.” (9to5google.com) Abner Li of 9to5Google wrote that the feature’s icon uses Gemini’s existing spark symbol with added motion styling. The report also said some testers were already seeing “Spark” in a redesigned Gemini app navigation drawer. (blog.google) ### What is Spark supposed to do inside the Gemini app? 9to5Google reported that Spark is framed as an agent that can carry out tasks, not only answer prompts. The publication said the interface includes separate “Chat” and “Agent” tabs, along with lists of active tasks and tasks scheduled to run later. (9to5google.com) The same report listed example uses including decluttering an inbox, preparing meeting briefs and generating a custom news digest. 9to5Google said the feature description in code states, “The more you use Gemini Spark, the better it understands you and what you want to accomplish.” (9to5google.com) ### How much access would Spark have to a user’s data? 9to5Google reported that Spark would use information from “Connected Apps, skills, chats, tasks, websites you’re logged into, Personal Intelligence, location, and more.” The report also said the feature could share information with third parties when needed to complete a task. (9to5google.com) The same code strings, as quoted by 9to5Google, said that could include a user’s name, contact information, files, preferences and information a user “might find sensitive.” The report added that Google labels Spark as experimental and warns users to supervise it. (9to5google.com) ### Did other reports describe Spark as working in the background? Sammy Fans reported that Gemini Spark could work in the background and connect to apps, email, calendars, websites and location data to complete routine online tasks automatically. That characterization matches 9to5Google’s description of a task-running agent, though the Sammy Fans report did not amount to a Google confirmation. (9to5google.com) Gadgets 360 separately said Google was expected to preview new AI advances at I/O next week and cited reporting around a possible Spark launch. Google has not posted an official product page or announcement for Spark on its blog or I/O schedule as of May 15. (9to5google.com) ### Why is I/O the likely venue for any Spark announcement? Google’s own I/O materials say the conference will cover updates “from Gemini to Android and more,” and the schedule includes a May 19 session titled “What’s new in Google AI.” Mashable also said Gemini news is expected to be central to the event. (sammyfans.com) May 19 is the next clear milestone. Google’s keynote begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, and any formal confirmation of Gemini Spark would most likely come through the keynote, the AI session schedule or posts on Google’s official blog. (io.google) (blog.google) (gadgets360.com)